Accession No

5360

Brief Description

microtome, sliding, with accessories, by Ernst Leitz, German, 2/2 20th Century

Origin

Germany; Wetzlar

Maker

Ernst Leitz

Class

laboratory apparatus; biology; microscopes

Earliest Date

1950

Latest Date

1998

Inscription Date

Material

metal (cast iron, steel); wood

Dimensions

of microtome length 700mm; height 305mm; width 225mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Donated and used by OCÈ UK Limited, Langton Road, Loughton, Essex, from 17/11/1998.

Inscription

plaque on the cast iron column supporting knife clamp is the signature logo
E.LEITZ
Germany
WETZLAR
(an approximate rendition)

Description Notes

Sliding microtome or as described by Leitz literature a “Base Sledge Microtome” (1922). It has a cast iron base plate of a portable form upon which slides a heavy carriage which in its turn has mounted upon it the object holder and the feed mechanism. The carriage is pushed using a rubber coated horizontal bar, below the bar is a serial number and makers information. On the end of the carriage is a small plate loaded onto springs at the opposite end the same is on the base plate (however this is able to slide along the rails in forwards and backwards motion). These prevent the cariage riding of the rails. The microtome is fitted with a spring load clamp to raise and lower the object in a fairly corse manner. The object clamp has a ball and socket joint with screw lever, by which means it can be inclined in any direction and about its axis. Two cast iron columns support the knife clamp with rocking sole piece. The sole piece allows for the knife to be slanted at an angle for cutting purposes. The columns have a grove within which the knife clamp can be adjusted forward and backwards. A fly nut on the knife clamp allows for turning on its axis. The columns are moveable to bring the knife into a position required by the size of the object for slicing. [A roller at each end of the microtome assists in the conveying of the ribbon of sliced material]

The thickness of the section is adjustable within a range of 0-20µ.

References

Events